Event 960

{
  "attack_type": "Sabotage",
  "border_violation_countries": [
    "Lithuania",
    "Latvia",
    "Poland"
  ],
  "border_violation_modes": [
    "Land"
  ],
  "category": "Kinetic",
  "confidence": "High",
  "countries": [
    "Lithuania",
    "Latvia",
    "Poland",
    "Ukraine",
    "Russia"
  ],
  "country": "Lithuania",
  "description": "A Lithuanian court has sentenced an 18-year-old Ukrainian national, Daniil Bardadim, to 3 years and 4 months in prison for setting fire to an IKEA store in Vilnius, Lithuania, allegedly following orders from Russian intelligence. Bardadim and an accomplice, also Ukrainian, were promised financial compensation and a vehicle to carry out sabotage operations in Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland, though they never received payment. On May 8, 2024, Bardadim planted an explosive device with a timer inside the IKEA store, causing a blast and fire overnight. The suspects then traveled to Warsaw, with Bardadim returning to Vilnius for more explosives. Bardadim was detained on May 13 while traveling toward Riga, and his accomplice was subsequently arrested in Poland after a separate arson attack on a shopping center.",
  "event_time_utc": "2024-05-24T14:08:00Z",
  "evidence": [
    "Sentencing of Ukrainian suspect in Vilnius for arson/sabotage linked to Russian intelligence.",
    "Details of planned attacks and cross-border movements reported.",
    "Arrest of second suspect in Poland after shopping center fire."
  ],
  "evidence_quotes": [
    "A court in Lithuania has sentenced an 18-year-old Ukrainian national to 3 years and 4 months in prison for setting fire to an IKEA store on orders from Russian intelligence.",
    "Daniil Bardadim and his accomplice... were promised €10,000 and a BMW 530 for carrying out sabotage operations in Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland.",
    "On May 8, 2024, an explosive device with a timer was planted inside the IKEA store in Vilnius, causing a blast and fire during the night.",
    "Bardadim was detained on May 13 while traveling toward Riga. The second suspect was arrested in Poland after setting fire to a major shopping center."
  ],
  "extra": {
    "extra": {
      "extra": {
        "evidence": [
          "Sentencing of Ukrainian suspect in Vilnius for arson/sabotage linked to Russian intelligence.",
          "Details of planned attacks and cross-border movements reported.",
          "Arrest of second suspect in Poland after shopping center fire."
        ]
      }
    }
  },
  "headline": "Lithuanian court jails Ukrainian national for Russian-ordered sabotage at Vilnius IKEA",
  "investigation_open": true,
  "location_text": "Vilnius, Lithuania",
  "media_assets": [
    {
      "description": "ScreenshotOne capture",
      "type": "screenshot",
      "url": "/media/event_960_1764092718_35edfd2a.jpg"
    }
  ],
  "notes": "This incident demonstrates the active use of proxies for sabotage operations targeting critical infrastructure in the Baltic region. The cross-border scope and evidence of planning for further attacks indicate ongoing and coordinated hybrid operations by Russian intelligence. Increased vigilance and strengthened counterintelligence measures are advised in Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland.",
  "schema_version": "v1",
  "screenshot_count": 1.0,
  "summary_extended": "A Lithuanian court sentenced 18-year-old Ukrainian Daniil Bardadim to over three years in prison for arson and attempted sabotage at an IKEA store in Vilnius. Bardadim, reportedly directed by Russian intelligence, and an accomplice were promised €10,000 and a BMW 530 to commit sabotage across Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland. On May 8, Bardadim set a timed explosive at the Vilnius IKEA, causing a significant fire. The conspirators then traveled to Warsaw, with Bardadim returning to procure additional explosives and detonators. Authorities detained Bardadim a few days later near Riga, while his accomplice was arrested in Poland following another arson attack at a major shopping center. Evidence suggests further attacks were planned in the region, highlighting ongoing hybrid threats by Russian-linked actors.",
  "summary_short": "Lithuania jails Ukrainian national for Russian-ordered IKEA arson and attempted sabotage.",
  "url": "https://x.com/visegrad24/status/1992958518337356226",
  "where": "Land"
}

{
  "source": "admin_quick",
  "tags": [],
  "url": "https://x.com/visegrad24/status/1992958518337356226"
}